Quanah Parker Star House - Cache, Oklahoma

Mark C.

Where to even begin? There is so much going on here, and most of it is just unfortunate to say the least. Is this worth your time to see it? Absolutely. But if it's on your wish list I'd recommend bumping it up because the house is not going to be around for very much longer unless something drastic happens to change the current trajectory, and that seems highly unlikely.

The house sits on private land, so as others have noted you need to coordinate with him to see it. He runs the Trading Post diner, which the house sits behind, so you'll likely have to visit after 2-3pm when the diner has closed. The owner's family (Uncle specifically) basically used to acquire historical homes, at the Star House was one of those. Among the other houses on the property are the first ever doctor's office in Cache, and the house of Frank James (brother of Outlaw Jesse James). All of the houses are in complete disrepair and falling apart, literally.

While I get the impression the owner wishes it were in better condition, that is 100% never going to happen from the sounds of it. There have been opportunities over the years from various parties who have shown interest in acquiring the house, but none have been successful. I get the impression the owner has a price in mind that likely isn't reasonable, but rather than take an offer which may not meet his expectations, the alternative is to simply let the house (and others) literally waste away and fall apart. Every window is broken, the roof is caving in, and there is ZERO protection from the elements. It's honestly a disgrace that a house of this historical significance could be left to rot away.

I truly hope something changes, but I doubt it will from what i heard, and time is definitely running out. I give it 10 more years, MAYBE. All it will take is a strong storm to roll through there and that place is gone. Sad. Glad I got to see it while it's around, but I left feeling gutted...like the Star House.

Tracy M.

Very heartbreaking! The Comanche people really need to buy this home, fix it up, and open it for tours. It's just falling to pieces. You can't even step onto the porch. Terrible to see such an important piece of American and Native American history just turning into scrap. The owner is vested in the home and property, his family has owned it for generations, but can't afford to properly take care of it.

Chris B.

The proprietor is a hoarder and unfortunately Star House It’s just another piece of trash in his hoard. He’s barely knowledgeable about Comanche history and has no concept of responsibility to preserve the structure for future generations. Apparently, he would rather let the house and all of It’s furnishings rot rather than give up the measly profit he makes from it. You can peer through the broken windows and look at the chairs that Teddy Roosevelt must’ve sat. What an obscenity. When I visited the entire north side of the house had fallen off Into the overgrown brush. He seems unaware of the fact that the whole place is going to collapse in on itself, and he won’t have his little income from giving tours anyway. It’s a loss for everybody.

That guy ought to be ashamed of himself. The so-called restaurant is also filthy and cluttered with garbage.

Hoarding is a disorder which distorts rational thinking. It’s very unfortunate that this house fell into the hands of such a person.

There’s something poetic about it. It shows the fragility and unsustainability of “the white man” while the mystic peyote church movement is still going strong in teepee meetings all over the country.

Meghan B.

Please go see star house before it is gone! We visited this past weekend. Wayne was a very nice guy. When we arrived at the trading post in cache (go closeish to 2/2:30) he took us on the tour after closing up the restaurant. Bring a vehicle that can off-road a little as it is a dirt farm road with some big dips and holes. We drove through the old amusement park and parked and he walked us to star house. Because of its disrepair you can only view from a distance but still worth it. Wayne gave more info once we were at the site! He was a very nice guy, don’t be expecting some corporate tour experience this is a guy allowing you on his property to see this historical building. It’s very sad to see it in such a poor condition but there doesn’t seem to be much Wayne can do himself to fix it! So go see it and tell your friends so maybe someone can save it!

Johnny B.

Today 5/13/2023 we took a trip up to Medicine Park Oklahoma, we stopped at Cache to see Quanah Parkers Star home. Sadly the proprietor of this property has let this beautiful historic building fall into a state of disarray.. The building is listed in the oklahoma historic home registry.. But since it is on private land there's not much they can do to preserve it until the owner decides to let them renovate it.. In order to do that he has to relinquish control of the building which he is not ready to part with. We showed up early in the morning when we thought he was opened, he told us to come back at 2 PM and wait until all the customers who were eating at the diner were finished and then he would escort us to the property... So at two pm, we came back and we waited over one hour and twenty minutes for one diner to finish his meal. We had to make a donation to see the property... So after a short ride to the back of the property and several gates he escorted us to the home of the legendary Commanche Indian Chief Quanah Parker. We actually considered ourselves very lucky because not many people get to see this... So he told us a few stories of the property and how it came to be in his possession... I really wish this building could be preserved because there's so much wonderful history here and sadly. It has been taken over by time mother nature and vandals... He could very easily let the state turn it into a State run monument... But again he does not want to relinquish control... He has the desire to fix it up but does not have the money.... There was only one side of the home where we could see the original stars.. The rest of the house is truly falling apart, the roof is collapsing, doors and widows kicked in and busted. We were not allowed to go inside because it has been flooded and vandals have taken their toll and it's really falling apart badly... So we truly believe this may have been our only opportunity to see this house before it goes away forever... This is as it is today 5/13/2023 🙁
PRO TIP ...... WEAR PANTS ..... TICKS WERE VERY BAD ... I wore shorts and constantly pulled them off my legs !!!

G J.

So after reading Empire of the Summer Moon and discovering the Star House was still standing, a road trip to Cache was necessary. If you want the tour it’s important to know that they start after 2pm and you must go through the owner of the trading post. Wayne Gibson, the owner, gives a unique yet detailed tour and experience (after 2pm). The grounds are cluttered with relics from different eras and all are in major disrepair. Such a historic home, it’s sad to see in this condition, however learning from Wayne the politics of inside the Comanche tribe is indifferent on the restoration of the house. The other buildings on the property are full of antiques and time period pieces as well but are not accessible to walk through. It is also important to note that the Star House has been moved twice from its original location and has never actually been properly restored, so there is a lot of rotting taking place.

Rich V.

This opportunity to see the Star House is pathetic. Don't waste your time. A private individual owns the house and has let it fall apart. If I could have given it negative stars I would have done so.

Cody S.

It’s on my bucket list to visit. I’m curious as to why the historical society hasn’t stepped in. Surely funds can be raised to restore it. At least partially. Enough to protect it and make it tour-able.